Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-10-29

VOL, |.
SWORD BEARERS CAMP.
The Crow Leader May Have to Eat
Crow-General Ruger Deter
mined to Enforce Sab
mission.
BILLINGS, October &c. The greatest
secrecy is maintained by bothsthe highest
and lowest officials at Fort Custer as to
the plan to be puesued in arresting the In
dians. Although no outbreaks have oc-
cured since the 18th ult. it is very certain
that something of Importance is about to
be done. Sixteen companies of soldiers
are now at the post and if the wars de-
partment's permission can be obtained two
companies will be ordered from Missoula.
Tt is the current belief that Gen. Dudley,
commanding the First cavalry will take
the field. Sword Bearer, who leads the
refractory Crows, has just returned from
the Cheyenne agency where he went with
fifty of his folloWeas 1t is not known
how successful he has been, but it is
highly probable that number of Chey-
enne braves have been adaed to his band.
It il supposed that the military will be
used for the purpose of overawing the
Indians by their superior numbers, to
prevent bloodshed in case of resistance.
There is now q sufficient number of
troops here to prevent further outbreaks
and the settlers will no longer be at their
mercy It is rumot ed that the arrests will
be made to-day.
EARTHwoRKs CONSTRUCTED.
FoRT CUSTER, October 26.-Three COM
panies of infantry from Fort Keogh ar
rived last night. Two companies from
the same post are expected tomorrow via
Cheyenne agency Two companies will
reach Custer station this evening from
Missoula. One is on the way from Fort
Maginnis, and tive from Fort Mcintosh.
The concentration of forces will probably
be made at the agency to-day. 1t is re-
ported here that a system of earthworks
and other defences is under construction
at the agency.
SWORD BEARERS MOVEMENTS.
Sword Bearer with such of his band as
he has been able to obtain at the Chey-
enne agency will probably reach the Little
Horn tonight. Rumors are current here
that reinforcements from other Indian
agencies will join the hostiles. The wealth
er is getting moderate, and the snow has
melted somewhat.
LATER.-Word has just reached here
that the detachment sent from Keogh to
the Cheyenne agency to intercept the
Crows failed to overtake the outlaws who
are now believed to be at Fort Meade, on
the Little Horn, 90 miles from Custer and
three from the Crow agency. This is re-
rarded as significant, as the point for their
camp is opposite the Custer battle ground
and but short distance from the monu-
ment. Allies are thought to be on their
way to join Sword Bearer from the Utes
and Sioux.
Including the regular garrison, seven
teen companies of infantry and cavalry
combined, two mounted parties accom-
panv the forces from keogh, and all the
preparations show that trouble is expected.
CONCENTRATING AT CUSTER.
ST. PAUL. Mimi, October 26. $50 The
troops to-day are engaged in throwing up
earth and providing defenses at Fort Gus
ter. Two companies of infantry from
Fort Missoula reached Custer last night.
It is thought that the troops sent to Chey-
enne agency will move this evening and
the movement at Custer will begin atOnce.
THE INSPECTORS OPINION.
Crow AGENCY, October 27.-All is
quiet at the agency to-day. A company
of infantry under the command of Capt.
Wilkinson is still here at the agency build
fngs. Sword Bearer returned last night
from the Cheyenne agency and passed
here to-day. His following is scattered
at various points on the Little Horn,
Lieut.C Collins has just returned from the
Cheyenne agency. He says that none OF
those Indians would join Sword Bearer,
Inspector Gen. Armstrong was seen and
gave the following account of the situa-
ton: 1.-THE Grow Indians are much ex-
cited and the disturbance is widespread.
One hundred and one families were alb
sent last evening, of those, however, many
are only alarmed and in suspense waiting
the result of the trouble. II an order
were issued calling all the peaceably
disposed, to come in and give themselves
up, believe that not more than fifty
would remain away beliye that if the
arrests had been Tmade on the day
of the first hostile demonstration
by the military forces sent to the agency
tie trouble would have been settled. Per-
haps this could net have been accomplish
ed without bloodshed, but the Indians have
gained confidence by the protracted delay
The Indians as a body are liable to yield
without resistance A large number oi
Indians have left their homes ard are
scattered at distant points in small bands
and they are much frightened There are